D.C. may limit sale of some video games

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The mayor of Washington and several city council members want to ban the sale of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors.

A measure under consideration would limit the sale of the Grand Theft Auto series, Mortal Kombat and other such games, The Washington Post reports. A store that violates the ban could be fined up to $10,000 and face being put out of business.

Council member Adrian M. Fenty said Grand Theft Auto "awards points for killing police officers and assaulting women, and it is done in a way that glorifies violence."

Mayor Anthony A. Williams said he would support the measure, to be introduced Thursday.

Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association, said the group encourages retailers to require ID checks before selling games that are rated "M" for mature but opposes government restrictions on content as unconstitutional.

"Further, federal court rulings already struck down limitations like what Councilman Fenty introduced and the same fate awaits his proposal," Lowenstein said in a written statement.

A Tennessee lawsuit blames Grand Theft Auto for the death of a man killed by teenagers, according to the National Law Journal.